Improved sttshender



tid 51mm SAMUEL WARREN HENLON, VOF SELMA, ALABAMA.

Letters PatentNo. 84,669. dated December 1, 1868; fmtedatecl .Eme l, 1868.

IMIPROVED SUSPENDER.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL WARREN Hannon, of Selma, Dallas county, Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Shoulder'- Brace and Suspenders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of the same, in which- Figure l is a side perspective view, clearly showing my entire invention.

Figure 2 shows a pair of suspenders made after my invention.

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view, and illustrates how they are applied and worn.

- Figure 4 shows how the above is applied and worn when intended for ladies7 use.

Ihe object of my invention is to so combine shoulder-braces and Suspenders, by a simple and practical arrangement, that, while the pantaloons, or other article of dress, are securely supported, the same is done in such a manner as to throw the body orward,.and cause it to occupy a perpendicular position.

Another great advantage possessed by my invention is this: the shoulder-straps not only pass in the rear of the lungs, but at `the same time are united together at a point in such a manner as to formV a fork, said fork being sufficiently far beneath the arm-pit to renit impossible for the lstraps to be broughtiin such close contact with the cavity or under portion ofthe arm as to impede in any degree, no matter how slight, the freest circulation and respiration.

It will be observed-that my invention relieves the breast and hips from pressure entirely, and causes the same to rest solely upon and be borne by the upper portion of the shoulder-blades.

The point at which Iattach the Suspenders to the pantaloons, or other article .of dress, is immediately above the hips, and in the direct line which extends ii'om the centre of the hollowv under the shoulder to the foot. The shoulder-straps cross each other a short distance below the neck, and where the shoulder-blades meet.

Io obtain the result accomplished by my invention has long been considered a great desideratum, and

many attempts have been made to secure the same, but

' tion and operation.

A A are two attaching-straps, or pieces of leather, or other suitable material, of lozenge, diamond, or other convenient form.

Io these are secured, in any convenient or suitable manner, straps, C C, one strap, C, being secured to the corresponding corners of the attaching-straps or pieces A, so that when laid down fiat the straps (l cross each other, as seen in iig. 2.

These straps C G are constructed of elastic webbing, or other suitable material.

0n the shoulder-straps G C, I arrange buckles, c c, one in each, by means ofwhich I am enabled to lengthen or shorten the straps C C, as occasion requires. .To the band d, ofthe pantaloons D, or other article of ch'ess that it is desired to support, I attach two but tons, 'e e', or other suitable fastenings.

Ihese buttons c e are secured to the band d at such points, that when the pantaloons or skirts D are adjusted to the form of the wearer, the buttons e .e will be immediately above lthe hips. v

To the buttons e e, I attach my combined shoulder-A brace and suspender, by means of the pieces A, in which are arranged the button-holes ff.

Thus it will be observed that my entire invention consists in so arranging, in combination with two attaching-straps, or pieces of leather, A A, the shoulderstraps C C, that the article of dress is securely and comfortably supported, without the intervention' of brace-straps, either in front o1 rin the rear, or any other device whatever.

The connecting of the shoulder-straps together by brace-straps is most objectionable, for it matters not whether they pa-ss across the breast or back, they of necessity interfere with the circulation, and whenever they pass over 4the lungs, causing pressure to rest upon the same, they impede the respiration in a degree nearly as great as does the old style of suspende1s,which ex? perience has long since demonstrated. that persons threatened with consumption, or other lung-involvement, cannot safely wear.

And again, it will be observed that my device leaves the cavity under the arm free from all pressure. In I all other contrivances of a character similar' to my invention, the shoulder-straps are caused to form a loop under the arm-pit, which is most objectionable.

In order to adapt my invention for ladies wear, a modiiication of a slight character is necessary. To the shoulder-straps C C, at the point they cross, when in use, I attach, by means of aloop,`a backstrapE. The device is then applied in the following manner: y

To the strap-d, of the hoop or outer skirt D, I attach three buttons, two in the manner before described, and one immediately in the rear'.- To the under skirt I attach suitable loops, which pass over these buttons,

'and my invention is then applied.

Having thus described my invention, y

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The suspender, or shoulder-brace, composed of two singlev straps C C, each passing fromits attaching-strap at the one side, over the shoulder, to the attaching-strap on the other side of the body, substantially as herein v stated.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name toV this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

W itnesses: SAM. W`. HENLON.

A. MCCALLISTER, Y L. G. Dum. 

